Valve construction



Sept. l8, 1945.

B. P. BAKER ET AL VALVE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 26, 1941 3 Sheets- Sheet 1 18;, 1945. B, P, BAKER r-:r AL 2,384,787

' NsTRUcTIoN Filed Nov. 2e, 1941 s snets-sheet 2 Uff-- u@ y MMM ` shpwn in Fig. 7.

Referring to the drawings, particularly to Fig. 1, the reference numeral designates a tank for storing gas, such as air, under pressure. Ex-

y tending from the upper end of the storage tank i is a relatively short iianged conduit ii, which carries a valve casing Secured to the upper end of the valve casing by a metallic collar connection S is a tubular insulator which has s..- cured to its upper end an insulating support t. The insulating support il carries a stationary contact assembly di which is enclosed within an arc extinguishing structure i3. The arc extinguish: ing structure i3 is of conventional design,

Coacting with the stationary contact assembly ii is a movable contact i5, which is preferably of blade-like construction and. adapted for swinging movement about a pivot (not shown) to open and to close the electrical circuit through the breaker. The means for actuating the movable contact i5 are not shown, but they may be of any suitable type. Circuit connections to the interrupter are made through the terminal lug i1, which is electrically connected to the stationary contact assembly ii, and to another terminal lug (not shown) of the interrupter which is connected to the movable contact i5. Thus when the interrupter is in the closed circuit position, as is shown in Fig. l, the electrical circuit is established through the terminal lug i1, through the stationary contact assembly i i, through the movable contact i5, and thence to the other terminal lug of the breaker by means not 'shown in Fig. 1.

The tubular insulator in addition tc sen/ingv essere? one end to the operating lever 21 and secured at the other end to a rigid support 35 serves to bias the valve 2| toward the closed position. 'I'he valve 2| is opened only during a pai-.t of the opening as a support, also provides a passage for transmitting an arc extinguishing blast of gas from the storage tank i to the space between the movable contact i5 and the stationary contact assembly ii. This gas blast passage proceeds from the storage tank i, .through the short conduit 8, through the valve casing 5, through the tubular insulator '1, and iinally through an opening I9 provided in the insulating support 9 which registers with the passage through the tubular insulator 1.

In the event the moving contact i5 is moved to the open circuit position while the circuit interrupter is carrying load, an arc will be drawn across the upper end of the opening i9 and will be subjected to a blast of arc extinguishing gas caused to ilow through the tubular insulator 1, whereby the arc will :be extinguished. Control oi' the blast of gas to the arc may -be obtained by a valve mechanism, generally indicated by the reference numeral 29. 'I'he valve mechanism 20 comprises a. valve 2| disposed in the lower end of the valve casing 5. The valve 2| is operatively coupled to one end of an actuating member 23, the other end of which is rigidly secured to a rock shaft 25 journaled in the side of the valve casing 5. The rock shaft 25 extends exteriorly of the easing 5. and is actuated by an operating lever 21, one end of which is rigidly secured to the rock shaft 25.v The other end. of the operating lever 21 is pivotally secured to one end of an amature 29. The armature 29 is moved upward upon the energization of a solenoid 3|, schematically indicated in Fig. 1. A tension spring I3 secured at movement ot the circuit interrupter by the enersization of solenoid 3| for a short interval of time. The electrical circuit through the solenoid 3| may pass through suitable timing relays (not shown) which are actuated by the opening movement of the circuit interrupter. Consequently. the arc drawn on the contacts of the circuit interrupter during the opening movement thereof is subjected toa blast of arc extinguishing gas from the storage tank i.

'I'he gas blast type of circuit interrupter, illustrated in Fig. l, is shown to indicate the type of electrical apparatus upon which the present invention may be used. The present invention can, however, be used on other apparatus which employs valves for gas or other uid control,

The valve mechanism 2@ shown in Fig. l is enlarged and hence more clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The valve 2 i has an integrally formed stem 31 which is loosely inserted in a movable tubular guide casting 3Q. A compression spring di, disposed between a pin i3 which is rigidly secured to the upper end of the stem 31 and a pin iii which is rigidly secured by a press iit in the lower part of the guide casting 39, serves to bias the stem upward in Figs. 2 and Sinto the interior oi the guide casting 39. The pin 45 is much smaller in diameter than a hole 42 through which it passes in the stem 31, the reason for which will be explained hereinafter. Integrally formed with the movable tubular guide casting 39 and projecting outwardly therefrom are three vertically disposed guide vanes 41, only two or which can be seen in Figs. 2 and 3. 'I'he actuating member 29 is pivotally secured to the guide casting t@ by a. pin i9 which is maintained in position by two cotter pins 5|. The valve 2| is preferably made very light and may be formed of heat treated aluminum. The movable tubular guide casting 30 with its integrally formed guide vanes 41 may be made more massive.

The operation of the valve mechanism 29 illustrated in Figs, 1, 2, 3 and 4 will now be explained. The valve 2| with its integrally formed stem 31 and the guide casting 39 with its integrally formed guide vanes 41 move together as a unit in the opening and closing operation of the valve mechanism 2b. 'Ihe movement of this unit is caused, as explained in connection with Fig. 1, by actuating member 2i! moving in response to the energization of solenoid 3| (Figure 1). During the opening movement of the valve mechanism 20 from the closed position, the valve 2| is caused to move downward by the lower portion of the guide casting 39.

When the valve mechanism 20 is moved to the closed position, the valve 2| strikes the valve seat 53 before the guide casting 39 is stopped by the upper ends of the three guide vanes 41 striking the lower end of the tubular member 1. After the valve 2| has struck the valve seat 53 and has stopped, the guide casting 39 and its integrally formed guidevanes 41 are still free to move a short distance upward before the upper ends of the guide varies 41 strike the lower end of the tubular member 1. The size of the hole 42 makes this possible.

It is thus apparent that the valve seat I3 absorbs only the kinetic energy stored in the valve I 2| and its stem 31 during the closing movement 0I the valve mechanism 20. The rest of the kinetic energy stored in the moving valve assembly is absorbed 'b'ythe lower end of the tubular member 1. It is also obvious that the valve 2| itself absorbs part oi' its own kinetic energy; and that the guide vanes 41 absorb part of their own kinetic energy together with part of the kinetic energy of the movable tubular guide casting 39. In'this way the kinetic energy of the entire moving valve assembly is split up so that the valve seat 53 must absorb only a small fraction o! the entire kinetic energy of the moving parts, whereas the remaining kinetic energy oi' the moving valve assembly is absorbed at other points.

The disadvantage of prior valve constructions has been that the valve seat and the valve have had to absorb the entire kinetic energy of the moving valve assembly. The stresses proved too great, and the valve seat and the valve suffered permanent deformations which resulted in a leaky valve after a few operations. In the valve construction illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 the valve seat t3 and the valve 2| need absorb only the kinetic energy associated with the light valve 2| and its ingrally formed stein 31 and not the kinetic energy stored in the rest of the moving valve assembly. Consequently, the stresses are small and there is no permanent defamation of either the valve II or the valve seat 53.

It is, of course, apparent that the guide casting t8 and its integrally formed guide vanes 41 could be stopped by inwardly projecting stop lugs formed on the inner surface oi the valve casing. li,

similar to the stop lug l1 in Fig. '1. flit is also apparent that the valve 2| and its stem 3l may be made of aluminum so as to be light, and hence the kinetic energy associated therewith may b very small.

In the modification of the invention shown in Fig. 5 the moving valve assembly comprises a valve lili which has had a cavity '5l machined out of it. This cavity El is partly filled with lead shot or other loose heavy material, an air spese being provided to permit motion. of the lead snot t lower cover plam is threadedly secured to the valve tit. The actuating member it is pivotally secured by a pin to the valve stem et, and a valve casing el is provided to `enclose the mechanism and to'iurnlsh a valve seat it.

During the closing movement ci the valve 6&3 the large mass of' the valve assembly caused by the addition of the lead shot bt tends to diminish the velocity of the valve. At the instant of iirst impact of the valve t5 against the valve seat 5 3 only the shell b5 strikes the seat 53 and is stopped. The lead shot 59 within the shell 55 continues to move upward until stopped by the top of the cavity 51. There is thus produced a series of small impacts caused by the lead shot ils striking the top of the cavity Il, each of which is less than the elastic limit oi the valve 'seat 53 or the valve t8. Thus the kinetic energy ofthe moving valve assembly is absorbed over a short period of time and at a number oi diiierent points, and not at the instant the valve 55 strikes the valve seat'53.

The stress and the resulting strain in the mate? shown in Fig. 6 comprises a valve 63, the lowerv portion of whichhas been so machined to form afcylindricel cavity 1l, and an apertured horiin the cavity 10 during the closing operation of zontal partition 13 which has a cylindrlcallyshaped upstanding portion 1I which is slightly smaller in diameter than the diameter of the cylindrically-shaped cavity 10. There is thus provided in this modiiication an inverted dash pot cooperating with the movable valve B9 to create a partial vacuum or reduced pressure region withthe valve I9. It is obvious that when the valve 89 is moved by the operating mechanism from the open to the closed position the creation of a reduced pressure region within the cavity 10 will greatly slow this motion. The diierence in pressure through any valve normally assists the valve to close. and hence to increase the kinetic energy thereof. In this modiiication oi' the present invention, however, this normal assistance by the pressure differential is rendered inoperative because of the stationary horizontal partition 13 and the inverted dash-pot arrangement. The result is slow motion upon closing and a low kinetic energy in the moving valve parts. The valve seat 53 and the valve G9 can readily absorb this small quantity of .kinetic energy. There is, consequently no permanent deformation of either the valve I9 or the valve seat.

Figs'. 7, 8 and 'together show still another modliication of the present invention. In this modiiication ci' the invention a valve casing 15 has integrally cast therewith a stop lug 11 pro'- jecting inwardly from the 'inner wall of the valve casing 15. Also cast integrally withthe valve casing 15 is a horizontal partition 19 which is centrally drilled to guide the movement of a valve liti is machined to i'orm a retaining groove ill for a washer-shaped sealing gasket t3 which seals between the valvecasing 1B and the upper surface y oi the ange sl.

The rock shaft 2B is rigidly secured to one end of an actuating member I, the other end of which is pivotally secured by a pin III'I tos vertically disposed cylindrical hollow connecting member |08. A'n ofi-standing lug III is provided at the right end of actuating member I 05, looking at Fig. 7, which engages the stop lug 1'I when the valve mechanism is in the completely closed position. As more clearly shown in Fig. 8; the connecting member I0! is providedwith a relatively large horizontal aperture II2 for a pin II3, said pin IIJ being rigidly secured by a press ilt to the valve stem 8|. A compression spring IIS is vertically disposed between the pin I I3 and the lower end portion of the vertically disposed cylindrical hollow-connecting member Il!!I to bias the valve 8 9 and its integrally formed stem BI upward. Since the horizontal aperture II! .in 'the connecting member Il. is much larger in diameter than the diameter of the pin IIJ'. there is some relative motion permissible between the valve 88 with its integrally formed stem 8| andthe vertically disposed hollow connecting member' i B. v

vThe operation of the valve construction illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 will now be described. When the valve 89 is in the open position, the valve 88 and its integrally formed stem 8l being biased upward by the compression spring IIE, cause pin l I3 to rest against the upper side o! the aperture H2. When the valve 8@ is closed, the valve 89 strikes the valve seat 8l before the vertically disposed hollow connecting member |00 and the actuating member we are both stopped by the stop lug ll. Thus the valve seat 8l must absorb only the kinetic energy of the movable valve t@ and its integrally formed stem lli and not 5 the kinetic energy of the rest of the valve assembly, the latter being wholly absorbed by the stop lug Ill. It is of course, apparent that the valve 89 will assist the valve seat ill in the absorption ofy the kinetic energy of the valve t@ and its stem 8l; and also that the lug lil will assist the stop lug 'Il in the absorption of the kinetic energy of the moving valve assembly.

It will be noted/that the form of the washershaped spring member 85 is such as to enable the valve seat 8l 'to be resilient in operation. The construction of the resilient valve seat @l is described and claimed in a copending patent application of Arthur M. Wahl and Frederick B. Johnson entitled Flexible valve seat for air blast circuit breakers iled October 30, 1941, Serial No. 417,146, now U. S; Patent 2,352,047 issued June 20, 1944, and assigned to the amignee-of this spplication. It will also be noted that the moving valve assembly is guided by guide means l@ which are stationary and hence store no kinetic energy which must be absorbed.` The result is a relatively light valve mechanism, the total kinetic energy of which is relatively small. 0f this relatively small amount of kinetic energy to be absorbed in rection, and means causing a part of the kinetic energy of the movable wvalve actuating mechanism to be absorbed at one or more other points than at the valve seat after the valve has come Ato rest at its seat.

3. In a valve mechanism, a valve, a valve seat, a mechanism for operating said valve to the open and closed positions, said mechanism being operable to positively complete vthe closing operation every time its movement is initiated in the closing direction, and means whereby the valve seat and the valve must absorb substantially only the kinetic energy associated with said valve dining a closing operation, the kinetic energy associated with said mechanism being absorbed at one or more points other than at the valve seat.

' 4. In a valve mechanism, a movable valve, .a seat for the valve, operating means for operating said valve operable to positively complete the closing operation every time its movement is inltiated in the closing direction, means permitting relative motion between said valve and said opn eratins means, and a plurality oi means including gli the closing operation, only a small fraction of it l,

must be absorbed at the exible valve seat 3l, the rest being wholly absorbed by the 'stop lug 'il and the lug. lil. This construction eliminates any i permanent' deformation oi either the valve till-or the valve seat 8l. The valve lill and the valve seat tl remain gastisht after many operations.

It is to beclearly understood that the present invention is not limited to electrical apparatus, but may be utilized on any apparatus, not necessarily electrical, which uses valves forges or uid control. For purposes of illustration only has the invention been described in terms oi its use on a gas blast type of circuit interrupter. i

Although we have shown and described specific structures, it is to be understood that the same are only for purposes oi illustration and that changes and modications may be made by tho skilled in the art Without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a valve mechanism, a valve means, means for operating said valve means to the open and closed positions and also operable to positively complete the closingoperation every time its movement is initiated in the closing direction, a seat for the valve means, and means including the seat for successively absorbing the mnetic energy stored in said valve means and said second-mentioned means during a clos operation when the valve means strikes the seat., 2. In avalve mechanism, a valve, a valve seat. a movable valve actuating mechanism operable to Ipositively complete the closing operation every time its movement is initiated in the closing dit@ said operating means .f

a movable valve, a valve seat. movable actua ng mechanism asso-ciated with said-movable valve operable to positively complete the closing operation every time its movement is initiated in the closing direction, and means for permitting said valve seat and said valve to absorb substantially only the kinetic en:- ersy associated with said movable valve, the llinetic energy oi the movable actuating mechanism associated with said valve being absorbed at one or more points other than at said valve seat.

6. En a valve mechanism, a movable valve and a seat therefor, movable operating means associ ated with said movable valve operable to positively complete the closing operation every time its movement is initiated in the closing direction, movable guide means associated with said movable valve, and means for causing the kinetic enersy associated with said movable operating means and with said movable guide means to be absorbed at one or more points other than at the valve seat. '1. in a valve mechanism, a movable valve and a seat therefor, operating means for the actua- 'tion of said valve operable to positively complete the closing operation every time its movement is initiated in the closing direction, movable guide said movable valve and said movable guide means,

means for a later absorption of the kinetic energy and means for the absorption of at least a part oi the kinetic energy associated with said movable guide means other than at said valve seat.

8. ln a valve mechanism, a movable 'valve and a seat therefor, operating means for the actuation of said movable valve operable to positively cplete the closing operation every time its movement is initiated in the closing direction, movable guide means interposed between said operating means and said movable valve, a lost-monon connection between said movable guide means and said movable valve, means for permitting said valve seat to absorb substantially only the kinetic en associated with said movable valve, and

associated with said movable guide 'means and the operation oi? said valve at one or more points other than at said valve seat.

9. In a valve mechanism, a movable valve and a seat therefor, operating means for the actuation of said movable valve operable to positively complete the closing operation every time its movement is initiated in the closing direction, movable guide means interposed between said operating means and said movable valve, a pin and slot connection between said movable valve and said movable guide means, and means for causing said movable valve to strike said valve seat be- Iore said movable guide means is brought to rest so that said valve seat need not substantially absorb the kinetic energy associated with said movable guide means.

l0. In a valve mechanism, a movable valve and a seat therefor, operating means for the actuation of said movable valve, a movable tubularshaped guide member pivotally connected to said operating means and having outwardly projecting guide varies, said movable valve being connected to the other end' of said tubular-shaped guide member by a pin and slot connection permitting relative movement between said movable valve and said tubular-shaped guide member, the arrangement being such that upon closing the valve mechanism the movable valve strikes the valve seat prior to the stopping of said tubularshaped guide member, the valve seat consequently absorbing substantially only the kinetic energy associated with said movable valve and not the kinetic energy associated with saidtubularshaped guide member.

ll. In a valve mechanism, movable valve mechanism, a valve seat for bringing the valve mechanism to rest during the closing operation, relatively movable material loading the movable valve mechanism so that the absorption of the kinetic energy associated with the movable valve mechanism when it is brought to rest at the seat will take place in a'series of successive steps.

12. In a valve mechanism, a movable valve and a cooperating movable operating mechanism therefor, a valve seat for bringing the valve to rest during the closing operation, loose material movable with said movable valve and with said movable operating mechanism, said loose material being so disposed that in bringing the movable valve and the movable operating mechanism to rest at the seat the absorption cf the kinetic energy associated with said loose material takes place in a series of successive steps.

13. In a valve mechanism, a movable valve, a seat for bringing the valve to rest during the closing operation, said movable valvehaving associated therewith a cavity, said cavity containing some loose material, the closing operation of said movable valve being such that after the movable valve is brought to rest at the seat the loose material is later brought to rest.

14. In a valve mechanism, a casing for said valve mechanism, a movable valve, a valve seat for said valve, operating mechanism for said movable valve connected therewith by a exible connection and operable to positively complete the closing operation every time its movement is initiated in the closing direction, and means other than said valve seat for the absorption of at least a part of the kinetic energy associated with said operating mechanismv during the closing operation of said valve.

15. In a valve mechanism, a casing for said valve mechanism, a movable valve, a valve seat for said' valve. operating mechanism for said valve operable to positively complete the closing operation every time its movement is initiated in the closing direction, a flexible connection between said operating mechanism and said movable valve, a stopping means for said operating mechanism to absorb the kinetic energy associated therewith, said stopping means being operative aftersaid movable valve is brought to rest by striking the valve seat.

16. In a valve mechanism, a casing for said valve mechanism, a movable valve, a valve seat for said valve, operating mechanism for said valve, a pin and slot connection between said operating mechanism and said movable valve, a stop lug projecting inwardly from the interior of said casing to engage said operatingmechanism after the movable valve is brought to rest at the valve seat.

17. In a. valve mechanism, a casing for said valve mechanism, a movable valve, a valve seat for said valve, and operating mechanism for said movable valve, a lost-motion flexible connection between said operating mechanism and said movable valve, stationary guide means for said movable valve disposed in said casing, a stop lug extending inwardly from said casing to engage the operating mechanism and bring the operating mechanism to rest after the movable valve has been engaged by said valve seat.

18. In a valve mechanism, a valve, a seat for said valve, means for operating said valve to the open and closed positions and operable to positively complete the closing operation every time its movement is initiated in the closing direction, and means for causing substantially only the kinetic energy stored in the valve4 to be absorbed at said seat during theI closing operation of-the valve, the absorption of the kinetic energy stored in said first-mentioned means taking place at one or more points other than at said seat.

BENJAMIN P. BAKER. RICHARD C. CUNNINGHAM. 

